This chapter forms one of the essays in the mobility section of the NEW OLD: Designing for Our Future Selves publication which accompanied a landmark exhibition of the same name at the Design Museum between January and February 2017. The work builds on work lead by Harrow and Gheerawo at the RCA on the Gateway project funded by InnovateUK. The RCA was the principle academic partner looking at user acceptance of driverless vehicles and imagining future outcomes. This chapter builds on this project research and provides unique perspective on how autonomous vehicles can benefit people across the age spectrum.

From stories of flying carpets to showings in science fiction movies, autonomous vehicles have gripped our imagination and featured in folktales and films across the world. Now mobility - including mass transportation, personal automobiles, ‘green’ vehicles, manufacturing and infrastructure - is set for the greatest change since the invention of the internal combustion engine. People see the rise of the driverless vehicle in a variety of ways including the excitement of new possibilities, fears over lack of control, eagerness to experience it firsthand and outright scepticism over it.

The initial paragraphs are included below:For older people, driverless vehicles could bring real benefits to their lives, from accessing the community and healthcare services to simply maintaining mobility. Mobility is a key indicator of quality of life, with ownership of a driving licence still seen as important to many people. Loss of a licence due to health or sensory decline can significantly affect a person’s sense of self and their lifestyle. Easy-to-use, accessible driverless cars could open up the possibilities by allowing everyone to drive regardless of age, ability or life stage. A visual impairment, or significant loss of dexterity would not be a barrier to anyone using a vehicle, and this creates radical new possibilities for a more inclusive mobility future at both ends of the age spectrum.